Do You Know Your Demons?
In 1863, Jacques Collin de Plancy’s Dictionnaire Infernal threw open the gates of Hell, inviting readers to explore a vivid, spine-tingling bestiary of the underworld. With Louis Le Breton’s haunting illustrations bringing these otherworldly beings to life, the book cataloged demons in all their grotesque and imaginative glory. It was a showcase of their beauty, quirks, and dark powers. From majestic kings of the abyss to bizarre creatures born of nightmares, each demon comes with its own story to chill and captivate. Let’s delve into ten of the most fascinating figures from this masterpiece.
1. Andras – The Original Angry Bird
Andras is pure chaos in demon form, and his looks match his wild nature. Picture a muscular man with the head of an owl, with a sharp beak, glowing eyes, and feathers, riding a terrifying black wolf and carrying a sword as sharp as his temper. Andras is the ultimate troublemaker, famous for stirring up arguments and breaking bonds between friends and allies.
If you’ve got a peaceful group, Andras will gladly ruin it, turning harmony into conflict. His reputation is so bad that summoning him is seen as a terrible idea—he’s just as likely to attack the person who called him as he is to obey. In some stories, Andras dives straight into battle, swinging his sword wildly and wreaking havoc, clearly enjoying every chaotic moment.
2. Bael – The Triple-Headed Trickster
Bael’s appearance is both strange and unsettling. He has three heads—a human, a cat, and a toad. Each head symbolizes a different strength: the cunning of the cat, the wisdom of the human, and the resilience of the toad. Despite his bizarre looks, Bael is one of Hell’s most powerful kings, commanding legions of demons with authority. His voice is described as hoarse adding to his ominous presence.
Bael’s ability to grant invisibility has made him a favorite for those seeking to escape detection. Whether it’s sneaking into forbidden places or vanishing from enemies, Bael’s power is unmatched. However, like all demonic bargains, there’s a catch. Conjurers often discover Bael’s gift to be a curse, finding themselves consumed by paranoia, forever fearing they’ve been seen.
3. Belzebuth – Lord of the Flies
Belzebuth, also called Beelzebub, is known as the “Lord of the Flies.” His giant, hideous fly form represents his power over rot, disease, and corruption. Wherever there’s filth, decay, or misery, flies swarm as his loyal messengers, spreading his influence. He’s not just about physical decay, though—he also thrives on moral and emotional ruin.
Belzebuth is a master manipulator. He’s said to be a smooth talker, using clever words and subtle tricks to plant seeds of doubt and despair in the minds of those he targets. He’s considered one of the most intelligent and composed of demons, preferring calculated schemes over reckless destruction. This mix of intelligence and decay makes him one of the most feared figures in demonology.
4. Caym – The Debating Dove
Caym (also spelled Caim) is another example of the more intellectual demons in the infernal hierarchy. He occasionally appears as a man holding a sword, dressed flamboyantly with a peacock’s tail, but his usual form is that of a blackbird or thrush, a bird known for its melodious voice. Some say he switches between these forms, depending on his mood or the task at hand.
Caym is a great debater, and his smooth-talking skills are said to rival even the most skilled lawyers and philosophers. If you’re in a sticky argument, Caym could give you the rhetorical upper hand. But be warned—he’s also known to use his sharp wit to humiliate those who summon him. Folklore suggests that Caym doesn’t just enjoy winning debates; he thrives on watching others crumble under the weight of their own ignorance.
5. Buer – The Healing Centaur
Buer’s form is one of the most peculiar in Dictionnaire Infernal. He’s depicted as a wheel with goat legs radiating outward, allowing him to roll from place to place like a grotesque pinwheel. Despite his bizarre appearance, Buer is associated with knowledge, particularly in philosophy, logic, and medicinal herbs.
His ability to heal diseases has made him a sought-after figure in occult circles, though summoning him comes with risks. While he might cure your ailment, he’s known to demand a “favor” in return—often one that traps the summoner in a web of debt and despair. Some stories describe him as patient and soft-spoken, giving him the air of a kind professor… but only at first.
6. Astaroth – The Seductive Scholar
Astaroth exudes an otherworldly elegance, a perfect blend of beauty and infernal menace. His form carries traces of his celestial origins—angel wings, smooth, flawless skin and eyes that shimmer with wisdom and mischief. Perched atop a fearsome dragon, Astaroth radiates an aura of regal authority. In one hand, he holds a serpent coiled loosely around his arm, a living extension of Astaroth’s cunning and slyness. His voice is described as soft and melodic, able to lull even the most skeptical listener into a sense of trust.
Astaroth is a master of revealing secrets. Many seekers of forbidden knowledge have summoned him, eager to uncover ancient mysteries. But his charm hides a venomous core. He often uses his knowledge to corrupt and tempt, leading the summoner down a path of destruction.
7. Gomory – The Beautiful Duchess
Gomory (sometimes spelled Gremory) is one of the rare female demons described in Dictionnaire Infernal. She appears as an extraordinarily beautiful woman, sometimes holding a scepter or crown. Her beauty is said to be both mesmerizing and disarming. Riding upon a majestic and graceful camel, Gomory commands an almost surreal presence. She is adorned in garments that blend opulence and mystery—robes embroidered with patterns that evoke ancient and arcane symbols.
Her voice is described as smooth and hypnotic, laced with an almost musical quality that makes it difficult to resist her words. But her intoxicating beauty and dignified demeanor mask her true nature—a manipulator who sows feelings of lust and obsession in those who summon her. Her ability to reveal hidden treasures tempts seekers of wealth, but the cost of her knowledge often leaves them ensnared in desires they can neither satisfy nor escape.
8. Forcas – The Scholarly Spirit
Forcas is a demon of intellect and practicality, appearing as a dignified older man with a long, flowing beard and a calm presence. He rides a large horse and carries a sharp dart. Forcas specializes in teaching the arts of logic, philosophy, and rhetoric, offering his summoners the ability to craft persuasive arguments, win debates, and solve complex problems. He is also said to have a knack for finding lost items, whether it’s a misplaced ring or a long-lost treasure. However, Forcas’s aid always comes with strings attached. The knowledge or object he retrieves often carries unintended consequences, leaving the summoner worse off than before.
Some tales suggest that he takes a quiet delight in watching his summoners’ lives spiral out of control, not because of his interference but because of their own inability to handle the power or information he provides. Despite his demonic nature, he is rarely aggressive. His calm demeanor makes him seem almost trustworthy—until you realize he’s always ten steps ahead, and you’re just another pawn in his intellectual game.
9. Asmodeus – The Demon of Desire
In Dictionnaire Infernal, Asmodeus is depicted with three heads—one of a bull, symbolizing brute force and stubbornness; one of a man, representing cunning and intellect; and one of a ram, signifying lust and aggression. This triad of heads illustrates his dominion over physical, emotional, and spiritual temptation. His body is equally monstrous – he is shown with a man’s torso, a chicken’s leg and a serpent’s tail.
As the demon of desire, Asmodeus is a master of manipulation, preying on human weakness and exploiting their yearning for pleasure and power. One famous story involves a summoner asking Asmodeus to reveal the secrets of love. The demon grants the knowledge, but it comes at the cost of the summoner’s own happiness, as jealousy and obsession consume him. Asmodeus loves watching people destroy themselves in their pursuit of pleasure.
10. Behemoth – The Gluttonous Beast
Behemoth is the personification of excess. His hulking, bestial form is a grotesque amalgamation of an elephant’s head and a hippopotamus’s rounded mass, emphasizing his boundless capacity for consumption. Every part of him seems built for excess—his broad jaws, powerful limbs, and bloated belly speak of an insatiable hunger that can never truly be satisfied.
As the patron of feasts and celebrations, Behemoth ensures that indulgence takes center stage. Tables groan under the weight of decadent food and flowing drink in his presence, and laughter and revelry fill the air. His jovial, almost comical figure and carefree demeanor can make him seem like a harmless, if gluttonous, companion. But beneath this façade of humor and festivity lies a sinister reality. Behemoth’s influence corrupts those who fall under his sway, driving them to chase pleasure and consumption at any cost. Those who indulge too deeply risk losing their sense of moderation and self-control, spiraling into ruin as they attempt to satisfy appetites that grow ever larger.
We enjoyed optimizing and vectorizing these unique illustrations. Check out the Demon Vectors collections we’ve put together (in three volumes!)—but maybe don’t get too close! 😈
